Configure 10 Radar Zones With Shelly Presence Gen4 For Privacy-Focused Home Automation
The new Shelly Presence Gen4 uses mmWave radar to detect movement and trigger home automations for up to ten individuals in a single room.
Key points
- Shelly announced the Presence Gen4 sensor, which uses mmWave radar instead of cameras to track presence and motion.
- The device costs $84.99, covers 650 square feet, and supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter protocols.
- Users can configure up to ten independent detection zones to trigger specific automations like lighting or heating.
Shelly released the Presence Gen4 sensor today, a smart home accessory that tracks people and pets using radar rather than video recording. According to The Verge, the device detects presence and motion in rooms or large spaces without capturing images, offering a privacy-focused alternative to traditional security cameras.
In plain English
The sensor uses millimeter-wave radar to sense movement. This technology emits radio waves that bounce off objects, allowing the device to determine if someone is present or moving. Unlike cameras, it does not record video or take pictures. The system triggers automated actions, such as turning on lights or adjusting thermostats, when it detects activity within its range.
The background
Shelly previously launched a subscription-free security camera priced at $50 last month. The new Presence Gen4 expands their smart home lineup with a different approach to monitoring. The device is designed for integration into major smart home ecosystems, including Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant, ensuring broad compatibility for existing users.
What changes now
The Presence Gen4 is available immediately for $84.99 through Shelly’s online store, with plans to reach retailers like Amazon and Best Buy soon. Users can mount the sensor on walls or place it on shelves using its built-in stand. It requires a power source via its USB-C cable but offers a 140-degree horizontal field of view for comprehensive room coverage.
Key terms explained
Teams usually evaluate presence sensors by checking detection accuracy and privacy implications. Verify whether the device records data locally or sends it to the cloud. Check if the hardware supports standard communication protocols to ensure it works with your existing network. Confirm that sensitivity settings allow you to ignore small movements, such as pets or cleaning robots, to prevent false triggers in automated systems.
What to do and how to stay safe: Shelly
- Verify that your smart home platform supports Matter or Zigbee to ensure the sensor integrates smoothly with your existing devices.
- Position the sensor to avoid blind spots, ensuring the 140-degree field of view covers the intended area without obstruction.
- Configure detection zones carefully to prevent false triggers from pets or moving objects like robotic vacuums.
- Review the privacy settings to confirm that no video or audio data is being recorded or transmitted to external servers.
General security guidance from the Vector Update newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Shelly Presence Gen4 record video?
No, the device uses mmWave radar technology to detect presence and motion without recording video or images.
How many people can the sensor track simultaneously?
The Presence Gen4 can detect and track up to ten people independently within its coverage area.
Which smart home systems are compatible with this sensor?
It supports Google Home, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Home Assistant via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Matter.
